"The Rose of Versailles" streaming on Viki

New Evangelion 3.0 Music Trailer (Lots of Spoilers)

New Evangelion 3.0 Music Trailer (Lots of Spoilers) From evageeks.org.

New song from Utada Hikaru "Sakura Nagashi"

New song from Utada Hikaru from new movie "Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo" that opened November 17th.  Shocked to see a new song from her.  Found out from following her Twitter account.  Nice to hear from her again.  Here is the link (which may be not be valid after a few days): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWLGEU5cfd8&feature=share&list=SP26AA1CD25610650C:
Here is the link to the English translated lyrics (also from her Twitter account):  http://www.sakuranagashi.jp/lyrics_e.html
In addition to being thrilled about a new song, I am also excited about the new EVA movie!  Wishing for a quick Blu-ray release here in the USA.  More angsty Shinji please.

"Rose of Versailles" in English

Could have knocked me down with a feather when I read that "Rose of Versailles" is going to be streamed with English subs on Viki and released on DVD by Nozomi Entertainment in 2013. 
Here's the trailer! 

Thanks to Nozomi and Viki!

"Tokyo Godfathers"

I've always meant to watch "Tokyo Godfathers" but never got around to it.  I found this on cable and it was a wonderful movie.   Frankly, the look of the anime wasn't appealing to me at first, but these characters really come to life, and really people aren't as pretty as in most anime, right?  The realistic look to the movie sometimes even led me to forget it was an anime.  The real star of the movie is the writing.  It's serious when needed, and hilarious at unexpected moments.  I laughed, I cried....really.  It was like a Frank Capra movie.  And I think I read that this is either based on or is really similar to an old movie.  Three homeless people work out their own family issues as they search for the mother of an abandoned baby.  Satoshi Kon co-directed this movie, the recently deceased anime director behind "Perfect Blue" and "Paprika" both of which are recommended.  Both "Perfect Blue" and "Paprika" are good movies is well, but aren't the heartwarming comedy/drama that "Tokyo Godfathers" is.  Really an unexpected find.

Anime of Spring 2012

The new anime season has started again. What I managed to finish watching:
Kids on the Slope - What a great show. I looked forward to it every Thursday like I used to with Chihayafuru. Nearly every episode was a gem of animation and storytelling. The best part of the show is the friendship of the Kaoru and Sentarou developing through their mutual love of jazz. The ending was a bit rushed, but did give a satisfying conclusion to the too short 13 episode series.
Tsuritama - This show was a pleasure to watch. The primary colors of the backgrounds really made this show stand out. Again, friendship is the anchor of the show. It's a bit silly and fluffy, but the heroics of the main characters at the end was moving. Plus Tapioca was a cute duck. "Du-ckkk!"
Continuing shows:
Kuroko's Basketball - Had no expectations at all for this sports anime. It's a tournament show but it's not boring. There is a real sense of tension in each game. Each show has some twist on basketball skill that surprises me. Plus good looking guys running around is nice to watch.
Phi Brain - This ridiculous shonen show is somehow bringing me back for another episode. A new arc has started which actually seems like a rehash of the last arc. I may burn out on this but will continue to try to watch.
Space Brothers - I also look forward to this every week. Seeing Mutta face the trials necessary to face to be chosen as an astronaut is really fun. Right now, he is an enclosed space with his would-be astronaut rivals, and being tested mentally and physically.
Hunter x Hunter - Another shonen tournament show. Each episode is such a surprise and I don't know what to expect. Plus Gon and Killua are so likeable. Hisoka's fixation on Gon is a hoot too. Schwing?
Right now, I'm trying out episodes of the new season. Hoping Natsuyuki Rendezvous will be the josei anime I'm looking for.

Space Battleship Yamato 2199

Starblazers! Please license this for North America.

Detective Conan Special 2012

Satoh Takeru and Mizobata Junpei

The live-action Detective Conan actors are back for an hour and a half special Shinichi Kudō and the Case of the Kyoto Shinsengumi Murder.   Mizobata Junpei and Kutsuna Shiori are back as Kudo and Ran, teenage detectives.  Don't hang around them outside of school....more than likely some murder will occur.  There are two stories in the special.  One is a about a murder on an airplane.  The other is about a murder on a film set of a movie about the Shinsengumi.    The preposterous deductions and corny jokes are back and it's an enjoyable watch.  Satoh Takeru has a small role in this as well, coming back as a sort-of rival teen detective.  Too bad he didn't have much screen time.  He played Koyuki in the Beck live action movie.  He is about to star in the live action Ruroni Kenshin movie.  I am not too familiar with Ruroni Kenshin, but I do know it's a popular manga and anime.

"Nodame Cantibile" streaming on Crackle

The Animax dubbed version of "Nodame Cantibile" is streaming on Crackle.  I watched it before on there, but it was removed.  Just read on Anime News Network it was back on.  I really enjoyed this show.  I think it's the only way to get this show in English at all, since I don't think it's licensed for DVD.  I wish more Animax dubs were available in North America.  Animax is a satellite network that broadcasts anime in Japan as well as in other countries (dubbed in English), but not in North America so far.  We could see more anime not licensed by Funimation or Sentai Filmworks,  Hope more Animax shows get shown on Crackle.  "Nodame Cantible" is a show that's about people older than high school kids which I really enjoy.  I like the realistic feel of the show too.  It's a comedy-romance-drama based on a josei manga.  I guess that I'm the target audience.  There's a live action version (with Ueno Juri) that I haven't seen. 

"Space Brothers"

"Space Brothers" is another Spring anime that I am going to watch.  I was all psyched up to watch "Kids on the Slope" and this went under my radar.  Boy, I am really enjoying the show so far, through episode 3.  It's a drama about adults which is rare and welcome.  It has that sort of realism like "Nodame Cantibile."  Sort of possible, but not really.  I read that there is also a movie of this with Shun Oguri (hottie alert) as one of the brothers.  I look forward to catching that someday.

"Kids on the Slope" and "Tsuritama"

"Kids on the Slope" and "Tsuritama" premiered yesterday.  It will be a great hour of anime to look forward to every Thursday for a while.  Both shows center around a socially awkward teen transfer student who finds friends that invigorate their lives.  The art in "Kids" and "Tsuritama" couldn't be more different, but both styles are pleasing.  "Kids" is has a realistic style that I have always loved in anime.  Teens who look like teens instead of moe fantasies of teens...this is what we get from "Kids."  "Tsuritama" is a bright jangle of colors with intricately detailed backgrounds.  "Tsuritama" is a strange fantasy that hopefully will become more explained in future episodes.  "Kids" hopefully will continue to be a solid drama in future episodes.  

"Dear Brother" on Viki

"Dear Brother," also known as "Brother, Dear Brother" and "Oniisama e" is now being shown on Viki.  I thought to check out Viki when I read that the new Leiji Matsumoto anime "OZMA" was being one-day-late simulcast there.  Other anime shows are also being shown and offered for crowd-subtitling.  I see the first episode of "Dear Brother" is translated and I hope the rest will be translated by some kind hearted lovers of old school shojo anime.  This coming-of-age story at a private girls' high school is full of teenage angst and sexual confusion.  Osamu Dezaki directed this and it shows.  I really like his style of anime.  Here's hoping that "Rose of Versailles" will appear soon.

"Sakamichi no Apollon" English website

My hiatus from writing about anime lasted about two seconds.   I found the official website for "Sakamichi no Apollon" and was surprised that the English version of the site was incredibly detailed and everything was translated.  I find that highly unusual.  Does this mean this will stream subbed in English?  My fingers are crossed.  http://www.noitamina-apollon.com/index_en_top.html

The Big Bang channel and Shamrock Shakes

I was going to post the new "Fantastic Baby" YouTube video for completeness, but I didn't really like the video so I decided not to.  The OCD part of me is crying out, but sort of muffled.  I am going to try to write about other things than Kpop, Jdramas, or anime.  Of course, I know my opinion on the latest Starbucks featured drink is something the world needs to know.  By the way, I really like yearly return of the Shamrock Shake at Mickey D's.  Minty goodness.  It seems thinner and more neon-green-streaky than before, but I still like it.  I wonder how many times I can buy it before it's discontinued for another year. 

BIGBANG - BAD BOY M/V

Second video! Big Bang roams New York chasing girls while wearing outrageous clothing. I bought their mini-album "Alive" and I'm really enjoying it.

BIGBANG - BLUE M/V

I had no idea Big Bang was back!  Thumbs up for the song and the video of the group being blue.

"Sakamichi no Apollon" trailer

This looks kind of awesome.  Reading about who is behind this upcoming series makes me want to watch it.  Anime set in the 60's about jazz?  Airing April 2012 on noitaminA time slot.  Please stream this somebody.

Winter Anime Season 2012

The new season started recently so I am trying the ones that sound interesting.  So far I've seen the first episodes of the following:
Rinne no Lagrange:  I watched it a few days ago and can't really remember much about it except that it features a spunky high school girl who has to pilot a robot.  Nice art.  A bit too much fanservice.  Not sure if will continue.
Natsume Yujincho Shi:  It's a given that I'll be watching this show.  Just love cute Nyanko-sensei and kind Natsume.  Almost every show makes me tear up.  Seriously.
Another:  Something in the horror genre which I really don't watch.  The heavy, secretive, and expectant atmosphere is done really well though (quick shots of various dismembered gothic dolls, weird long pauses in dialog and action.)  Will give it a try.
Listen to Me Girls, I'm Your Father!:  I am ashamed to admit I have watched the first episode.  It's full of all possible harem cliches including sort of sickening fanservice moments with stepsisters.  Panders to moe otaku and will probably get licensed.  I'm not going to continue.
Daily Lives of High School Boys:  Art is terrible, but the humor is great.  LOL moments.  Last time I LOL'd from watching anime was Squid Girl.
Chihayafuru:  Will continue to watch this lovely show.  A suspenseful tournament show with a lot of heart.
New Prince of Tennis:  Felt like watching the old Prince of Tennis of which I watched only a few episodes.  Don't think will continue.
Recorder to Randsell:  Why was this 3 minute anime even made?  Half of it is the OP and ED and it's a one-note joke.  Since it's only 3 minutes to watch, I'll probably watch it anyway.
Inu X Boku SS:  Attractive art, surprising twist at the end, and a Sebastian-esque butler who will kiss his masters' feet.  Will try a few episodes.
Thermae Romae:  A weird flash animated show that's has good art and okay humor.  The subject is so strange (ancient Roman bathhouse designer visits modern Japanese bathhouse) that I'll probably continue to watch it.
Senki Zeshou Symphogear:  What the F did I just watch?  J-pop saves the world.  Excellent animation, appealing characters, nice action pacing made this a surprisingly enjoyable first episode.  Well executed, but will the ridiculous plot hold up?  Made no sense but will continue to watch.  Will probably get licensed since if features magical-girls and fight scenes.
Nisemonogatari:  Never watched Bakemonogatari which leaves me a bit lost.  The dialogue reminds me of Arakawa Under the Bridge or Natsu no Arashi.  Apparently all of these shows are works of Akiyuki Shinbo.  I hardly ever finish any of his shows, so we'll see how long I can keep watching.  Intriguing art.
Moretsu Space Pirates:  Started watching with zero expectations since the other name for this is Bodacious Space Pirates.  I was pleasantly surprised.   It's a shonen show that isn't embarrassing to watch.  Sure the lead character is in a high school girl's uniform most of the time (aren't they all? haha), but at least no character is leering at her (so far).  The tone is just right.
Brave-10:  A sengoku show with samurai.  I don't think I'm into that.  At least all the samurai are pretty boys.
After reading over all the shows I have watched, I have concluded I need to leave the house more often.  Also, that Natusume Yujinchou and Chihayafuru are the must-sees.

"Now and Then, Here and There"

I recently finished watching "Now and Then, Here and There" on DVD.  I recalled that the anime received good reviews and decided to give it a try, not really knowing what the story was about.  I was blown away by the depiction of violence in war.  Like in most anime, the main characters are children, which makes this war story more disturbing.  It starts off like a typical anime, with the protagonist Shu dealing with adolescent first love.  But he unexpectedly meets Lalaru, a girl who is suddenly pursued by giant mechanical snake-like machines.  Shu tries to save her and is transported to a world where water is the most important commodity and is a key element in a maniac king's plan to take over the world.  Hamdo, the maniac king, is chasing Lalaru who has the (unexplained) power to create water with her pendant.  Shu spends the whole anime trying to save Lalaru from Hamdo and in the process gets tortured, beaten, and drafted into Hamdo's army of kidnapped children.  Shu meets Sara who was abducted because she was mistaken as Lalaru.    Her story of survival is one that I would never believe would be portrayed in an anime.  Shu also meets Nabuca, a natural leader in a company of soldier children.  His arc is a sad one as well.  The only "good" person in this dystopia is Sis who takes in war orphans.  Shu is totally optimistic throughout the whole show, even after getting beaten up about a million times.  It's annoying sometimes, but still admirable.  His sense of morality never wavers, although everyone else's sense of morality is totally whacked in this world, except for the end.  The ending is a bit frustrating since it's all solved in a magical way by Lalaru that maybe could have happened earlier.  I guess Lalaru deciding to finally use her power at the end shows Lalaru's emotional growth. The animation is extremely well done and the music is beautiful.  Watching this reminded me of watching "Grave of the Fireflies"...extremely depressing, but compelling and touching.  I couldn't stop watching it except for when I had to go to bed and then finished it the next day.  The music is really good in this show too.  If you want to watch a mature anime drama, this is it.